Scottish salmon farmers call for action to slash Brexit red tape
If the UK government can smooth the way for imported seafood from Norway, why can’t it do the same for exports, asks trade body
Trade body Salmon Scotland today called for swifter action to introduce an electronic system for UK exporters after fisheries minister Mark Spencer hailed similar measures which support seafood imports from Norway.
Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott attended the annual Norway-UK seafood summit held at Fishmongers’ Hall in London today, where the progress made on imports was highlighted.
But Scottish salmon farmers, who produce the UK’s largest food export, remain frustrated by the lack of new eCertification for export health certificates (EHCs), and issues with the current outdated system.
Given [eCertification] now happens for seafood imports from third countries like Norway, we’re surprised that this still hasn’t been sorted for exporters to the EU.
Tavish Scott
Salmon Scotland said producers are willing to work with the UK Government to put in place any measures that make it easier to export their fish to Europe, and have already piloted a successful electronic EHC system which shows what can be achieved.
£3m-a-year Brexit tax
The trade body has previously estimated that post-Brexit paperwork costs salmon farming companies in Scotland an extra £3 million a year since the UK formally left the EU on January 31, 2020.
With salmon increasingly popular in traditionally smaller European markets such as the Netherlands and Spain, and soaring in demand in Asia, salmon farmers say smoother trade flow and new markets would open up the possibility of more investment in the Scottish economy and more high-skilled Scottish jobs.
The export market involves annual salmon sales of nearly £600 million a year.
Scott said: “We’ve been saying since Brexit that we need electronic systems to reduce the red tape for salmon farmers.
“So given this now happens for seafood imports from third countries like Norway, as highlighted by the fisheries minister, we’re surprised that this still hasn’t been sorted for exporters to the EU.
“International demand for Scottish salmon continues to increase, and it’s vital for economic growth here at home that we remove barriers for key exporters like salmon farmers.”
